Skip to main content

Very Good

#479 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 15% in state

City Middlehigh

High School · Grand Rapids Public Schools

1720 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Enrollment

927

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#21 of 111

public schools

Michigan high schools

#73 of 812

In district

#5 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About City Middlehigh

City MiddleHigh serves 927 students in grades 7 through 12 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, operating as a comprehensive secondary school that combines middle and high school students under one roof. With 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1 to 1, providing educational services across six grade levels in a single campus setting. The school currently ranks in the 12th percentile statewide, placing #2837 out of 3204 Michigan schools, with room for academic growth as the community works to support student achievement.

As a regular public school, City MiddleHigh serves families throughout the surrounding area, offering the continuity of a 7-12 structure that allows students to remain in one school environment as they transition from middle to high school years. Located on Plainfield Avenue NE, the school sits in a diverse Grand Rapids neighborhood where the median household income is $67,838 and 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 49505 ZIP code area, home to over 32,000 residents with a median home value of $202,400, reflects a working-class community with varying economic backgrounds.

City MiddleHigh operates within Grand Rapids' mid-size city environment, serving students from this established urban neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at City Middlehigh is 22.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+36.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.7 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+24.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness10.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,739

City Middlehigh — Students at City Middlehigh score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 83.1%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
69%
ELA
88%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
88%
2022
Math
67.1%
ELA
79.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How City Middlehigh Compares

See how City Middlehigh performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MI
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
·907 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1720 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering City Middlehigh may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wellspring Preparatory High School (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Innovation Central High (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NexTech High School (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Center for Economicology Grand Rapids 0.0 mi 6.9
Palmer School Grand Rapids 0.2 mi 5.3
ISJ ACADEMY PK-8 Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 6.6
East Leonard Elementary Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 6.4
STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 7.3
Riverside Middle School Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 7.4
Kent Hills Elementary Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 6.8
Bethany Based School Grand Rapids 1.0 mi
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 7.7
Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 9.0
Aberdeen Academy Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.7
Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 5.1
NexTech High School Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 7.3
Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.1
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 7.4
Innovation Central High Grand Rapids 1.9 mi 8.1
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids 1.9 mi 6.7
Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 7.3
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 7.6
Grand Rapids Public Museum High Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,692

Median Home Value

$227,900

Median Rent

$1,248/mo

Population

32,224

College Educated

39.8%

Homeownership

64.6%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

34.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding City Middlehigh has a median household income of $71,692. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,900, with a median rent of $1,248/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Berkley High School Berkley, MI 7.8
Hamtramck High School Hamtramck, MI 7.8
Mona Shores High School Muskegon, MI 7.8
Churchill High School Livonia, MI 7.7
Spring Lake High School Spring Lake, MI 7.7
Canton Preparatory High School Canton, MI 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about City Middlehigh

What grades does City Middlehigh serve?

City Middlehigh serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend City Middlehigh?

City Middlehigh has an enrollment of approximately 927 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at City Middlehigh?

The student-teacher ratio at City Middlehigh is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does City Middlehigh rank in MI?

City Middlehigh is ranked #479 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is City Middlehigh's MySchoolScout rating?

City Middlehigh has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at City Middlehigh?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, City Middlehigh has 67.0% math proficiency and 83.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is City Middlehigh a charter school?

No, City Middlehigh is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is City Middlehigh a Title I school?

No, City Middlehigh is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for City Middlehigh?

40.6% of students at City Middlehigh qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grand Rapids Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,802
Schools in District
51
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#5 of 47

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.